Kirksville Police launch bicycle safety, awareness campaign

Initial focus will be warnings in the downtown area for bike riding on sidewalks

Taylor Muller

Sometimes for eight hours a day, Kirksville Police officer Nicholas Panos sees the world from behind the wheel of his patrol car.

He's seen it all when it comes to bicycle-vehicle interactions, from aggressive drivers to reckless biking and is now leading a KPD community project to increase awareness of the city's bike-related ordinances and how to stay safe both as a biker and a motorist.

"As someone that is driving around eight hours at work, I see it all day long," Panos said. "You don't have to be a bicyclist to see what's going on or see that there needs to be a change."

Part education campaign and part enforcement, KPD officers are working to increase interactions and reminders about bike safety and ordinances, including particularly no bike riding on downtown sidewalks.

"The goal is to make bicyclists and motorists aware of the responsibility of both bicycles and motorists and keep other people safe," Panos said.

Recently, Public Works painted red "No biking" signs on downtown sidewalks and intersections that are included in the "No biking" zones as established by city ordinance.

But Panos advised bicyclists avoid the sidewalks elsewhere, as well, as a safety measure because they should be treated and behave as if they're a vehicle.

"Bicycles are more likely to get into an accident on sidewalk than on street," he said.

Local bicycling enthusiast and Daily Express blogger Rachel Ruhlen echoed that sentiment, saying that the safest place for a bicyclist, both for themselves and motor vehicles, is on the road.

"The sidewalk puts you in a vulnerable position where you don't have time to react and drivers are less likely see you in their peripheral vision," she said.

Ruhlen has been working with Panos to address safety and education issues, which she has also taught during two biking safety classes this summer and is planning another session for this spring.

She said bicyclists are taught above all to control their own bike and limit their risk of an accident since the majority of bicycle accidents occur without the involvement of a motor vehicle.

A recent accident exemplifies how bicyclists are as much responsible for traffic safety as motor vehicle drivers, with a student struck by a car while riding her bike the wrong way on a one-way and with no lights.

She was issued traffic citations, but Panos said this campaign will first try verbal warnings, focusing on limiting bike riding on downtown sidewalks.

By ordinance, bicycle riding is not allowed on sidewalks in a downtown district bordered by Marion, Jefferson, Main and Missouri streets. Panos cited the potential for risk to pedestrians and said officers would be making a more focused effort on enforcing city ordinances.

"Obviously if a warning isn't doing any good, there's the potential for tickets, but it depends and we'd like to have contact and just warn people," he said.

Bicycle safety tips

- As a driver, need to be aware of where bicyclists may appear like alleyways or on sidewalks.

- As a bicyclist, need to have night-time lighting and reflective clothing or gear and obey all traffic laws and signal turns.

- Drivers should pass, when safe, a bicyclist with at least an arm's length passing distance.

- Bicyclists should ride no closer than an arm's length to the curb to prevent encountering unavoidable hazards like potholes or sewer grates that can lead to an accident or crash.